The owner of an Essex alpaca farm has increased the reward on information leading to the arrest of someone who stabbed four of his alpacas to death in late December to $13,000, according to The Middletown Press.
Earlier version:
An Essex farm is offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest in the recent deaths of four alpacas.
State police are investigating the incident at Alpacas at Applesauce Acres, located at 99 Bushy Hill Road in Ivoryton.
At approximately 7:52 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 23, Essex Resident Trp. Kerry Taylor responded to the farm, where the animals were discovered in a fenced in pen directly adjacent to Bushy Hill Road with what appeared to be stab wounds.
There were several other alpacas in the pen which were unharmed. DEEP was contacted and responded to assist at the scene and they too verified that the alpaca's sustained numerous stab wounds.
Resident Trooper Taylor had two previous investigations over the past four months in which other alpacas have been killed.
The investigations have ruled out any wild animal attacks. An animal autopsy was conducted on one of the dead alpacas in the previous case and it appears that it was shot.
The Resident State Trooper has developed and is pursuing leads and information in this case.
Troopers are asking anyone who may have seen vehicles or people in the area of Bushy Hill Road anytime overnight to please call 860-399-2100. Any information will be kept in strictest confidence.
